Due to a need for more young promising defenseman, the Arizona Coyotes should pick Swedish born Axel Sandin Pellikka in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
With a need for young defenseman, the Arizona Coyotes should select Axel Sandin Pellikka in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
The Coyotes have both the sixth and 12th overall picks in the first round. Over the past couple of seasons Arizona has drafted some promising offensive prospects including Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther and Conor Geekie.
Now that the Coyotes have two lottery picks, it's a perfect time for the team to select a defenseman with at least one of them.
Sandin Pellikka played in the J20 Nationell Swedish Junior League this past season where he had 16 goals, 20 assists and 36 points in 31 games. He is the No. 14th ranked prospect on Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News’ top 120 prospects list.
For the way the game of hockey is played today, Sandin Pellikka is the perfect defenseman. He is an excellent skater which makes him the best offensive defenseman in the draft. He also plays a great two-way game and has good sense for what is going on while on the ice.
“He’s the best defenceman in the draft,” said TSN’s Craig Button. “And he’s just continuously showed me that. I watch the poise, the ability to control the game in every single zone, and seemingly do it with a calm and an ease that is eerily reminiscent of [Hockey Hall of Famer] Sergei Zubov.”
The Swedish born defenseman stands at 5 '11'’ which is a bit of a concern but he can make up for it with his strong offensive skill set, something that can be of value for any team's power play.
If Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong really feels the urgency to pick a defenseman with the sixth overall pick, they could select Sandin Pellikka but there is a chance the 18-year-old is available for Arizona at the 12th overall pick.